How to transfer applications from phone to memory card on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a lack of internal memory, especially if the device has many applications or games. Even with 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage, the MIUI system quickly clogs with cache, updates and user data. The solution is to transfer some of the software to a microSD card, but here users are waiting for nuances: not all applications support this feature, and in new versions of Android, the portability is severely limited.

In this article, we will discuss all available ways to transfer applications to SD-map 9 (including Redmi models 9A/9C/9T), sensitizing MIUI 12, 13 and 14. You will learn which programs can be moved, how to bypass system limitations, and what to do if the button "Move to" SD" We'll also look at alternative methods, from using the card as an internal storage device to manually transferring it through the computer. ADB.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9 can’t transfer all applications to memory card?

With Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google has tightened the rules for working with external drives. Now developers can block the ability to transfer their software to the Internet. SD-This is the case with most popular programs:

• 📱 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, VK, Telegram – block the transfer due to the risk of data loss when retrieving the card.
• 🎮 Games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty – require high read/write speeds that budgets don’t provide SD-map.
• 🏦 Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff) – transfer is prohibited for security reasons.
• 🔧 System utilities (MIUI Security, Google Play Services – critical to operating systems.

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with Android 10/11 and MIUI shell, these restrictions are strengthened. Even if the application theoretically supports portability, the system can block the function due to:

• 🔒 No root rights – without them, you can not forcibly move some of the root rights APK.
• 📉 Low-class SD-maps (below) UHS-I Class 10 – Slow cards cause lags.
• 🔄 Formatting a card as portable (rather than internal) – limits portability.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-The card is an internal storage device (the option is "Format as internal memory"), and once it is removed, the phone will not boot, the data on the card will be encrypted and not available on other devices.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through MIUI Settings

This is the easiest method, but it only works for a limited number of applications. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the program you want to migrate (such as Spotify or Waze).
3. Slip on Warehouse.
4. If the option is available, click Move to SD-map (or modify) → SD-map).
5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes for large applications).

If the "Transfer" button is inactive or absent, it means:

• 🚫 The application blocked the transfer (see the list above).
• 📱 You have a lightweight version of the program (such as Facebook Lite) that does not support this feature.
• 🔧 The memory card is formatted as portable, not internal.

Memory card inserted and recognized by the system

There is enough free space on the map (minimum 2x of the application size).

The application is not included in the list of blocked

SD-map FAT32 or exFAT (for portable mode)-->

After transferring some of the data may remain in internal memory (such as cache or settings). To free up space completely, clean the cache manually:

1. Settings → Applications → [Select program] → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Use of the SD-maps as internal memory

This method circumvents the limitations of Android, but it has serious implications.

• 🔐 The data on it will be encrypted and not available on other devices.
• 🚫 The card cannot be removed without resetting the phone to the factory settings.
• ⚡ The speed of work depends on the class. SD-maps (recommended) UHS-I U3 or A2).

Step-by-step:

1. Put it in. SD-map.
2. Go to Settings. → Memory. → [Your name is yours. SD-map].
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Storage Settings.
4. Click Format as Internal → Clean and Format.
5. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-3 minutes.
6. After formatting, select Move Data Now (optional).

Now, when you install new applications, the system will ask you to choose a storage location, so you can transfer the programs that are already installed:

1. Settings → Annexes → [Select a program] → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.

⚠️ Attention: If SD-The card is slow (class below Class 10), the applications will slow down or paint. Before formatting, check the speed of the card using the card. SD Card Tester (available on Google Play).

16GB

32GB

64GB

128GB or more

I don't use it.-->

Method 3: Transfer over ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can force the application to be moved using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Activate USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times until the message “You’re a developer”) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB (enable)
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should display the name of your device.
5. Find out the packet name of the application (for example, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp): adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword word" or use App Inspector from Google Play.
6. Move the app to SD-map: adb shell pm set-install-location 2 adb shell pm move-package com.name android package

If the command is successful, you'll see a message Success. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) may not work properly after a forced transfer. [INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_INSTALL_LOCATION], This means that the transfer is blocked at the system level.

Method 4: Application Data Transfer (not APK) on SD-map

If the application itself cannot be moved, it can be moved (cache, downloads, media files).

• 🎵 Music Players (Spotify, VK Music).
• 📷 Photos for the app (Google Photos, Snapseed).
• 🎮 Games with large files (Asphalt 9, FIFA Mobile).

How to transfer data:

1. Open Settings → Applications → [Select Program] → Storage.
2. Click Clear cache (this won’t delete important data).
3. In the settings of the application itself, find an option like the Downloads folder or the Save Place and specify the path to the SD-map, /storage/XXXX-XXXX/DCIM/Camera).

For games with OBB files (additional data):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open up your internal memory.
2. Go to the Android/obb/[name game package] folder.
3. Copy files to SD-The card is in the same folder (create it manually if necessary).
4. In some games (such as Genshin Impact), the path to files can be changed in the startup settings.

💡

To transfer OBB files, use the FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer file manager – they support working with Android root folders without root rights.

Mistakes in the transfer of applications and their solutions

When you try to move applications to SD-Redmi 9 users often encounter errors:

Additional solutions:

• 🔄 Rebooting your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 📱 Update MIUI — In new versions, portable bugs can be fixed.
• 🛠️ Resetting settings (last resort) - Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.

💡

If the application is unstable after transfer (flying, slowing down), return it to internal memory. SD-card can't handle the load.

Alternative ways to free up memory on Redmi 9

If the application portability is not helpful or impossible, use other methods:

• 🧹 Clearing the cache:
• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files:
• ☁️ Transferring Photos/Video to the Cloud:
• 🔄 Disabling video preloading:
• 📦 Archiving of rarely used applications:

Important: On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with 64 GB of memory, the system reserves up to 10 GB for its needs. Even after full cleaning, "available" will be less than specified in the specs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring applications to SD-map